Swim Advisory Issued for Windward Beach After Water Quality Test

The Ocean County Health Department has issued a swim advisory for Windward Beach after a water test showed excessive levels of fecal coliform bacteria.

The beach was open Tuesday, but may be closed Wednesday if a second round of tests performed Tuesday show the situation is lingering. The test showed 110 enterococci (cfu/100ml). The state allowable limit is 104.

According to the state Department of Environmental Protection, a swim advisory is issued when an initial sample exceeds the state standard of a particular substance. Swimming Advisories warn the public of “potentially unhealthy water conditions.”

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Additional sampling is conducted until water quality results are again within the standard, the DEP said. Beaches are closed if two consecutive samples exceed allowable levels.